Products and Resources Catalog

  Cannabis: People before Profits. The Evolution of Cannabis Policies and Where Prevention Fits In   Webinar Date: February 16, 2021   Webinar Description and Objectives Marijuana legalization laws in the Pacific Southwest Region are varied and complex. This webinar will provide an overview of the stages of state marijuana legalization laws and the multiple layers of marijuana policy. We will discuss the importance of prevention practitioners taking a leading role in identifying public health issues emerging from commercialization & legalization policies. The intersection of policy and prevention and how we approach marijuana prevention in the era of commercialized marijuana will be discussed. By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: Discuss the stages of state marijuana legalization laws and the multiple layers of marijuana policy. Recognize the importance of prevention to take a leading role in identifying public health issues emerging from commercialization & legalization policies. Discuss the intersection of policy and prevention and how they approach marijuana prevention in the era of commercialized marijuana   Presenter Scott Gagnon, MA, CPS, is Associate Executive Director of AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Inc., and Director of the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC). Appointed by the Maine Speaker of the House, Scott serves as the public health representative on Maine’s Marijuana Advisory Commission. Scott serves as the chair of the national PTTC Network’s Marijuana Risk Work Group. In addition, he chairs the Maine affiliate of Smart Approaches to Marijuana and has also served as Co-Chair of the Prevention Task Force for the Maine Opiate Collaborative. Scott recently served on the SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention National Advisory   Webinar Recording View Webinar   Webinar Slides Download Slides - Cannabis: People Before Profits. The Evolution of Cannabis Policies and Where Prevention Fits In   Other Resources Webinar: Selecting and Implementing Evidence-Based Practices to Address Substance Misuse Among Young Adults: SAMHSA’s Resource Guide PTTC Network Marijuana Prevention Education Toolkit  (available in Spanish & Portuguese) SAMHSA Evidence-Based Resource Guide: Preventing the Use of Marijuana: Focus on Women and Pregnancy Updated Inventory of Programs for the Prevention and Treatment of Youth Cannabis Use, Washington State Institute for Public Policy (2019) Preventing Youth Marijuana Use: Programs and Strategies, CAPT (updated 2017)

The role of marijuana in society is changing rapidly. Amy Ronshausen, Executive Director of Drug Free AmericaFoundation, discusses medical marijuana in Florida and how it impacts prevention efforts.   Check out our other podcast episodes:   Ep. 1: Advancing Prevention Science —An Introduction to the Southeast PTTC and Interactive Forum Ep. 2: Reducing Prevalence of Addiction Begins with Youth Prevention: One Choice for Health Ep. 4: Understanding the Prevention Specialist Certification Process Ep. 5: Innovative Strategies for Engaging Underserved Populations Ep. 6: Youth Opioid Addiction: What Preventionists Need to Know Ep. 7: Best Practices for Prevention Media Campaigns Ep. 8: The Benefits of Engaging Youth in Communities: Insights and Evidence from Developmental Science Ep. 9: The Brain Science of Substance Misuse Ep. 10: Leveraging a Health Equity Approach to Improve Prevention Efforts Ep. 11: Community Engagement Strategies —Best Practices for Preventing Substance Misuse at the Grassroots Level Ep. 12: TTC+ORN Collaborative Brown Bag Webinar Ep. 13: Keeping Kids Safe in Schools —Associations between School Safety and Behavioral Health Ep. 14: Leading From the Head and the Heart —The Pyramid of Success Ep. 15: Managing the Impact of COVID-19 in Children, Families, and Communities through Prevention Strategies  

This webinar is one of the New England PTTC's prevention trainings. In this webinar (recorded November 5, 2020), participants will receive a detailed overview of each of the four products in the toolkit. No continuing education is available. Contact us if you have any questions.   Course Summary: Do your marijuana presentations inspire and influence your audiences? Do you know how to pivot - and edit - your content to meet a wide range of audience needs and accommodate ever-shifting and changing policies? Preventionists are called upon to educate a diverse range of community members about the impact of marijuana and presentations are often the vehicle through which that information is relayed. In this 90-minute virtual training, participants will learn practical skills to create compelling marijuana prevention presentations that can be adapted for different audiences, using the tools and resources they already have.   Learning Objectives After this session participants will be able to: Refine their message for unique audience types Edit a wide range of information and carefully select content to avoid information overload Present information in a way that translates and resonates with audiences Use tools and techniques that enhance learning Design compelling, polished visual aids for presentations   Presenters: Jamie Comstock and Robin Carr founded Info Inspired in 2014, after many years of designing and giving presentations with no formal training in this area, and watching their public health colleagues struggle with the same skills gap. Both are certified prevention specialists with 30 years’ combined experience in the field. They’ve spent the last several years researching and testing ways to not only capture and hold an audience’s attention, but to also inspire audiences. They’ve spent countless hours refining the presentation planning process, identifying free resources, and learning how to maximize the tools they already had. It’s also important to know that they aren’t graphic designers, artists, or especially tech savvy. Everything they do, you can do too.   Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on November 5, 2020). No continuing education is available.    PowerPoint Presentation    Handouts

  Advocacy Essentials for Prevention Practitioners: Tools for Impacting Substance-Related Policies and Regulations   Webinar Date: November 18, 2020   Webinar Description Join us for this interactive webinar on the importance of advocating for policies and regulations that improve substance misuse outcomes in your communities. This webinar will provide an overview of the difference between advocacy and lobbying, current research on policies and regulations that are often adopted with little public health input, and what tools are available to prevention practitioners to ensure they are providing a voice in the regulatory process. The webinar will conclude with a real-life example of an advocacy campaign that was successful in creating local policy change in a community in Arizona.   Presenters Mary Segawa, M.S., Mary has worked in community and statewide prevention and public policy for over 20 years. In her role as the Public Health Education Liaison at the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board where she worked closely with other state agencies and community organizations to coordinate prevention efforts, provide training, and develop resources. Mary played a key role in promoting public health policy at the WSLCB as they implemented the two citizen initiatives that privatized liquor and legalized cannabis. Prior to her work at the WSLCB she served as Executive Director of a county-wide non-profit agency focused on prevention of youth substance use and violence. Mary is now working as an independent contractor. She recently received the National Prevention Network’s 2020 Award of Excellence.   Julie J. Craig, Director of Community Initiatives, Arizona Youth Partnership. Julie started her career working as an Emergency Medical Technician while attending the University of Arizona in Tucson, Az. From there she worked more than 10 years as a Police/Fire 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatcher and this is where her work with Substance Abuse and Community Coalitions began. She has been with the Arizona Youth Partnership for over 13 years and manages several Community Substance Abuse Coalitions in Mohave, Gila and Pinal Counties, and provides Technical Assistance to youth anti-tobacco coalitions across Arizona. She is an Instructor/Trainer in several curriculums including Kids at Hope, Strengthening Families Program 10-14, Too Good for Dugs/Violence, Mind Matters, and PAXT 360. She also provides education to communities regarding underage drinking and Substance abuse issues. Julie lives in rural Arizona on a small ranch where she raises goats, sheep, and donkeys.   Alicia Sparks, PhD, MPH is the Vice Chair of the U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance and Senior Associate at Abt Associates. Her research focuses on the implementing and evaluating alcohol and other drug prevention policies. Dr. Sparks contributed to the first ever Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health and co-authored an APHA policy statement on the need for alcohol policy in the U.S. She served as a Fellow at the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth and has worked directly with liquor law enforcement organizations on alcohol prevention programs and policies at the state level, as well as with college campuses and local coalitions on implementing effective prevention policies. Dr. Sparks holds a PhD in Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and an MPH from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.     Webinar Recording View Webinar   Webinar Slides Download Slides - Advocacy Essentials for Prevention Practitioners: Tools for Impacting Substance-Related Policies and Regulations

Pharmacology for Prevention Specialists: Pharmacology of Cannabis   October 29, 2020   Webinar Description Join us for the fourth and final offering in our pharmacology webinar series. This webinar will explore the pharmacology of cannabis. The presenter will cover how cannabis addiction impacts major brain regions and the acute and chronic symptoms associated with cannabis use. Specific features of cannabis dependence and withdrawal will be discussed specifically symptoms that occur when a person is discontinuing its use. The webinar will use Zoom technology and the format will be interactive with ample time for questions.   Objectives 1. Define addiction and how it impacts regions of the brain. 2. Describe the acute and chronic effects of cannabis use and withdrawal.   Presenter Ron Jackson, MSW, LICSW, is a Clinical Professor at the University of Washington’s School of Social Work where he teaches courses on addiction and its treatment methods. He recently retired as the Executive Director of Evergreen Treatment Services (ETS), a private non-profit organization, in Seattle, Washington, that provides outpatient opioid treatment in clinics in western Washington and street-based case management services for homeless persons with substance misuse disorders (REACH Program) in Seattle. He served for 10 years as a Co-Principal Investigator for the Washington Node of NIDA’s Clinical Trials Network and is currently on the Advisory Board for the NWATTC.  Mr. Jackson has worked in the field of addiction treatment since 1972.     Webinar Recording View Webinar   Webinar Slides Webinar Slides - Pharmacology for Prevention Specialists: Pharmacology of Cannabis   Additional Resources HHS Region 10, Cannabis Policies and Regulations: A Multi-State Comparison Across Three Northwestern States HHS Region 10, State Cannabis Policies and Regulations: A Guidance document for Northwest Substance Misuse Prevention Practitioners

A Prevention Practitioners' Guide to HHS Region 10 State Cannabis Policies and Regulations   October 13, 2020   Webinar Description We know that addressing policy is a key component of prevention work with long term and lasting effects, but where do you start, especially when the landscape may seem complex and confusing? Understanding regulatory language and processes might be challenging at first, but like many challenges, it gets easier the more you do it. And having access to tools that help you line up the pieces and fit them together will contribute to your success. This session will introduce you to the components of a toolkit for addressing cannabis policy from a public health and prevention framework. The tools provided will be explained, including the basic principles on which they were developed, the relevance for each of the HHS Region 10 states, and ways you can use them as you work in your communities to address issues around cannabis policy and regulations. The tools will be easily accessible on the PTTC webpage, and you will have the opportunity to make recommendations for additional tools.   Objectives By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: Describe the purpose of the toolkit Access each component online and be familiar with its contents Describe the inter-relatedness of the components and how they work together Explain the 5Ps for prevention policy work List 2-4 ways you will be able to use the toolkit     Presenters Mary Segawa, M.S., has worked in community and statewide prevention and public policy for almost 25 years. She was the Public Health Education Liaison at the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLB) from 2010 to 2019, where she worked closely with other state agencies and community organizations to coordinate prevention efforts, provide training, and develop resources. Mary played a key role in promoting public health policy at the WSLCB as they implemented two citizen initiatives: privatization of liquor and legalization of adult cannabis use and retail sales. She currently consults with regulatory, public health, prevention and research groups providing translation of information from different fields to support actions that meet their shared goals of protecting public health and safety. Mary was awarded the National Prevention Network’s 2020 Award of Excellence for her work in the field.        Julia Dilley Ph.D., MES,  is a Senior Research Scientist and Epidemiologist with Multnomah County Health Department and State of Oregon Public Health Division. For more than 20 years Dr. Dilley has supported public health systems in Washington, Oregon, Alaska and New Mexico. Much of her research focuses on public health effects of cannabis, alcohol and tobacco policies. She is currently the principal investigator for a federally funded research study on public health effects of cannabis legalization in Washington and Oregon, focused on the role of city and county policies and local-area cannabis market variation. She also co-chairs a national workgroup that is developing cannabis surveillance best practices as part of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE).          Webinar Recording View Webinar   Webinar Slides Webinar Slides - A Prevention Practitioners' Guide to Region 10 State Cannabis Policies and Regulations A Prevention Practitioners' Toolkit to Understanding HHS Region 10 State Cannabis Policies and Regulations

Cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance in Idaho, consistent with federal law. However, two bordering states have legalized cannabis for adult use. Prevention practitioners in Idaho may wish to become familiar with the context of these neighboring states' regulations in order to inform comprehensive prevention planning. This document provides Idaho's prevention workforce with information that supports: Prevention of youth cannabis use Prevention of adult cannabis misuse (heavy use and/or risky behaviors)   The information is organized into six sections. First, a description of the regulatory bodies that create and oversee the regulatory system; then regulatory components organized as “5 Ps for Prevention.” These elements of regulation are most relevant to preventing any cannabis use by youth and unsafe use by adults.   View the other resources available in this toolkit.

This document provides a summary of Washington’s rules and laws to regulate cannabis, and provides the prevention workforce in Washington with information that supports: Prevention of youth cannabis use Prevention of adult cannabis misuse (heavy use and/or risky behaviors)   The information is organized into six sections. First, a description of the regulatory bodies that create and oversee the regulatory system; then regulatory components organized as “5 Ps for Prevention.” These elements of regulation are most relevant to preventing any cannabis use by youth and unsafe use by adults.   View the other resources available in this toolkit.

This document provides a summary of Alaska’s rules and laws to regulate cannabis, and provides the prevention workforce in Alaska with information that supports: Prevention of youth cannabis use Prevention of adult cannabis misuse (heavy use and/or risky behaviors)   The information is organized into six sections. First, a description of the regulatory bodies that create and oversee the regulatory system; then regulatory components organized as “5 Ps for Prevention.” These elements of regulation are most relevant to preventing any cannabis use by youth and unsafe use by adults.   View the other resources available in this toolkit.

This document provides a summary of Oregon’s rules and laws to regulate cannabis, and provides the prevention workforce in Oregon with information that supports: Prevention of youth cannabis use Prevention of adult cannabis misuse (heavy use and/or risky behaviors)   The information is organized into six sections. First, a description of the regulatory bodies that create and oversee the regulatory system; then regulatory components organized as “5 Ps for Prevention.” These elements of regulation are most relevant to preventing any cannabis use by youth and unsafe use by adults.   View the other resources available in this toolkit.

This document provides is a brief snapshot of the policies in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington categorized under the 5 Ps for Prevention: Public Safety Placement and Access Product and Potency Promotion and Advertising and Pricing   This document compares policies in each of the 3 states with references to the statutes and rules for each. It is recommended that prevention practitioners use this table in conjunction with two additional Northwest PTTC resources in this series.   View the other resources available in this toolkit.

The purpose of this document is to provide the prevention workforce in Federal Region 10 states (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington) with information that supports the following: Prevention of youth cannabis use Prevention of adult cannabis misuse (heavy use and/or risky behaviors)   The information in this tool is intended to support capacity development specifically within the prevention workforce by increasing understanding of cannabis regulatory frameworks and policies that can affect prevention of youth cannabis use and harms. This includes by answering questions that Region 10’s prevention workforce may have:   What is cannabis regulation? This report provides information so stakeholders understand who makes policies and what kinds of policies are included in each of the four Region 10 states.   Why are specific policies important for prevention? Key components of cannabis regulatory frameworks, and how each is relevant to prevention, are discussed. Because cannabis regulation is so new, some of what we think is important for prevention is related to research about regulations for tobacco and alcohol.   What is in place in my community right now, and is it good enough? This section describes the current status of each state’s prevention-related cannabis regulations as of June 30, 2020.  Important considerations in assessing regulatory content and advocating for prevention-supportive approaches include how regulations affect vulnerable populations and the potential for unintended consequences. Notably, some local areas (cities, counties, boroughs, or villages) have already passed additional regulations; these are not included in the scope of the report, however, understanding specific state regulations, including what additional regulation is allowed locally, is a starting point for assessing the status in any specific community.   What other options exist? The existing regulations in other states may offer ideas about what is possible to strengthen cannabis regulations. This report also discusses potential policies from research on tobacco and alcohol.   What comes next? Within the discussion about regulatory areas, emerging regulatory issues are also identified. These are topics that community advocates may want to anticipate and become prepared to address, whether they are intended to strengthen or weaken regulations.   View the other resources available in this toolkit.

Webinar - Case Studies in Marijuana: From Pharmacology to the Emergency Department   Webinar Description In this webinar, participants will learn about marijuana: its pharmacology, THC, CBD, and its effects on the body. The webinar will present the most factual information and up-to-date data on marijuana and participants will review illuminating examples of daily marijuana poisonings that present to emergency departments across the Pacific Southwest Region. Learn the facts vs. the myths to assist you in your prevention work and to educate and protect future generations in your state and/or jurisdiction.   Presenter Roneet Lev, MD, FACEP, was the first Chief Medical Officer of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, ONDCP. She brought refreshing frontline medical experience to national health policy. She is a nationally acclaimed medical expert and speaker who continues to treat patients in the emergency department. As a mother of four, she relates to families who struggle. Dr. Lev uses data to drive change and is frequently quoted in print and television media. Dr. Lev is dually board certified in emergency and addiction medicine, bringing over 25 years of experience treating the frontline cases of addiction. She came to the White House as chief of the emergency department at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego.   Webinar Recording View Webinar   Webinar Slides Download Slides - Case Studies in Marijuana: From Pharmacology to the Emergency Department  

Cannabis Use in Pregnancy and Lactation: Understanding the Science and Assisting Practitioners with Prevention Strategies Laura Borgelt and Tricia Wright August 24, 2020, 1-2 PM EST COURSE DESCRIPTION Participants will understand the basic tenets of the social determinants of health and its impact on behavioral health, prevention, and wellness efforts.  Participants will critically examine the role of neighborhood conditions, education, socio-economic, and socio-political climate. This training will strengthen participants understanding of the social determinants of health and their role in shaping the prevention efforts of diverse populations. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Discuss the use of cannabis on the endocannabinoid system and fetal development. Evaluate studies that have evaluated the use of cannabis in pregnancy and lactation. Describe the risk factors associated with marijuana use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Explain prevention strategies for practitioners and coalitions to minimize or eliminate the harm of cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation.   PRESENTERS Dr. Laura Borgelt is an Associate Dean of Administration and Operations at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Professor in the Departments of Clinical Pharmacy and Family Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Dr. Borgelt’s teaching, practice, and research focuses on patient safety and women’s health.          Dr. Tricia Wright is a Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Health at the University of California, San Francisco. She is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Addiction Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. She has published multiple papers on pregnancy and addiction as well as a textbook Opioid Use Disorders in Pregnancy published in 2018 by Cambridge University Press.                                                                                                                                                             

What is the role THC has on the nation’s current vaping crisis? What are the best practices and strategies for vaping prevention? What are specific vaping prevention strategies currently being implemented by two prevention coalitions? This webinar explores these questions and more from national and community experts. The panel discusses the latest data and research on the impact of vaping on youth and communities. FAQ Sheet Coming soon! Download Webinar Slides    

Grow Your Knowledge: Cannabis Prevention, Policy, and Pharmacology 3-Part Webinar Series Cannabis Prevention Campaign: Planning and Implementation (Part 1 of 3) Learn how the city of Denver, CO planned for and implemented its “High Cost” Marijuana Prevention Campaign. The following information will be provided: • How the city of Denver determined a campaign was needed • How the campaign is funded • Process by which the campaign was created and implemented • Lessons learned from when the campaign started until now • Overview of the “High Costs” campaign website, social media, etc. PDF Slides Presenter: Eric Escudero

Register and participate in this FREE self-paced course on Cannabis Policies: Cannabis laws and policies are rapidly changing in states. Various decriminalization, medical marijuana, and adult-use marijuana policies are being debated and moving through state legislatures and ballot boxes. Amid all of this change, where does prevention fit in? This course shows participants how these policies can evolve, the implications for public health and safety, and how and where prevention fits in. Participants will learn from a presenter with hands-on experience both in prevention and shaping marijuana policies. Additionally, participants will learn about the marijuana prevention training and technical assistance services from the New England PTTC.   Learning Objectives: Participants will learn about the current state of marijuana policies across the six New England States Participants will learn about the importance of public policy that is data driven and informed by public health and prevention science. Participants will learn about the importance of training community sectors in marijuana science and how it can be a powerful environmental strategy for prevention.    Note:  This New England PTTC self-paced course is hosted on the PTTC Network online learning platform Healtheknowledge.org. You will need to create a free Healtheknowledge.org account to register and participate in the course.  After you have created your free account you will be able to register and participate in this free, self-paced course.  You will then also be set up to access in participate in all future New England PTTC self-paced courses and webinars.  

Happy New Year from all of us here at Southeast PTTC. The new year is a time for new beginnings. We have an exciting year in store for you, full of webinars, events, and more to help prevention specialists enact real change in their communities. Learn more about our upcoming webinars and how you can become involved in national initiatives in our January newsletter. 

The Vaping Epidemic: Troubling trends and their implications for youth cannabis use prevention and policy – A call to action!     Date January 31, 2020   Description The first part of this webinar will present the latest data on national and regional trends in adolescent and young adult cannabis use and vaping, as well as emerging research on unique risks from cross-fading (i.e., simultaneous use of cannabis and alcohol). Research on perceived risk of cannabis use, trends in drugged-driving, and the negative cognitive, academic, and mental health consequences of cannabis use will also be discussed – including a specific focus on how prevention specialists can use this research to inform their work. The second part will review characteristics of the evolving cannabis market such as increasing potency, flavors and product diversification, and marketing practices driving the vaping epidemic, and discuss policy approaches to address these risks. Lastly it will discuss the role that participants can play in mobilizing community stakeholders to affect cannabis regulatory practices and protect public health, and how a clearer understanding of what is driving the youth vaping epidemic could inform these approaches.      Presenter Dr. Jennifer C. Duckworth is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at University of Washington. As a developmental psychologist and former high school teacher, Dr. Duckworth has a significant interest in the prevention of health-risk behaviors among adolescents and young adults. Her research investigates the developmental and socio-contextual processes that underlie health-risk behaviors, with a focus on high-risk alcohol and drug use. She is passionate about prevention science and is committed to supporting professionals implementing prevention programing. Dr. Lynn Silver, MD, MPH, FAAP, a pediatrician and public health advocate, is Senior Advisor at the Public Health Institute (PHI) and Clinical Professor at University of California San Francisco. She directs PHI’s Prevention Policy group, including Getting it Right from the Start: Local Regulation of Recreational Marijuana, a project of PHI to support marijuana policies that learn from tobacco and alcohol control to better protect youth, public health and equity.   Webinar Slides Webinar Slides Additional Resources: New Marijuana Prevention and Education Toolkit Getting it Right from the Start

This webinar is one of the New England PTTC's prevention trainings. In this webinar (recorded January 6, 2020), participants will receive a detailed overview of each of the four products in the toolkit. No continuing education is available. Contact us if you have any questions.   Recorded Webinar: PTTC Cannabis Education Toolkit Launch & Listening Session Presenter:  Scott M. Gagnon, MPP, PS-C, Director, New England PTTC Course Summary: The nationwide PTTC Network Cannabis Risk Work Group was convened to develop cannabis prevention technical assistance products to assist the nation's workforce in their very important and urgent cannabis prevention work. This past October, the Work Group was pleased to release the first set of resources in the Cannabis Prevention & Education Toolkit.  In this webinar (recorded January 6, 2020), participants will receive a detailed overview of each of the four products in the toolkit. The following will be covered in the webinar: Description of each of the four tools, Goals and intended uses for each product, Tips and pointers for implementation,   Questions or comments from webinar participants.   Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on January 6, 2020).  No continuing education is available.    Link to download the tools showcased in the webinar.

- PTTC Network Launches New Marijuana Prevention and Education Toolkit - Today we will be talking with Scott Gagnon from the New England PTTC. Scott is a Certified Prevention Specialist and the Director of AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Inc., and Director of the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center.  Scott has a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service.  Appointed by the Maine Speaker of the House, Scott serves as the public health representative on Maine’s Marijuana Advisory Commission.  Scott chairs the marijuana prevention advocacy & education group, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, Maine and has also served as Co-Chair of the Prevention Task Force for the Maine Opiate Collaborative.  Scott recently served on the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) National Advisory Council. In addition to his role as Director for the New England PTTC, Scott has been a marijuana science trainer for the New England Addiction Technology Transfer Center. Scott has received numerous awards including the Patrick J. Kennedy Outstanding Advocate Award from Smart Approaches to Marijuana in 2017. Scott trains and presents both in New England and nationally on marijuana science and policy, as well as on opioid prevention and prevention workforce development.  He will be sharing their work at the New England PTTC and his work for the national PTTC marijuana workgroup. There are tons of resources available to anyone and everyone!  

This course is one of the New England PTTC's free self-paced prevention courses that have been posted to the PTTC Network's learning portal.  This is one of the strategies of the New England PTTC to increase and expand access to prevention training for the New England workforce. We know it sometimes can be challenging to access a variety of prevention training due to distance and just finding the time in your schedule to attend trainings. With these on-demand courses, you can register and take the course on your schedule, and get continuing education credits towards your prevention certification!  NOTE:  All New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center webinars and online courses are hosted at the PTTC Network Learning Management Center, HealtheKnowledge.  You will need to create an account to register and participate in the webinar.  If you need to create an account, click here and follow the instructions.  Once you have a user account you will be able to register for this, and all future New England PTTC webinars and courses.  Contact us if you have any questions.   Today’s Cannabis: Stronger, More Edibles, Confusing Information about Driving   Presenter: Dr. Karen Simone, Director Northern New England Poison Center Course Summary:  Dr. Karen Simone will provide an overview of factual information about today’s cannabis products. They are stronger, often times contain no or less CBD in relationship to THC, and are vastly available in edible and other forms. Information is plentiful, while facts are difficult to extract with confidence. People using cannabis are confused regarding the safety of driving. CBD is promoted as a cure for everything and anything. Learn what is known and unknown.   Continuing Education Credits Available: 1.0 Hour Certificate of Completion Available IC & RC Prevention Domains: Domain 6 - Professional Growth & Responsibility   Link to Register and Begin Course: https://healtheknowledge.org/course/index.php?categoryid=89#NEPTTC-Todays-Marijuana   Presenter Bio: Dr. Karen Simone is the director of the NNEPC. She is a doctor of pharmacy, a Diplomate of the American Board of Applied Toxicology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology. Dr. Simone oversees the day-to-day operations of the poison center, including management of calls, emergency preparedness activities, staff education, educational outreach, research and funding.

Marijuana in a Changing Legal Climate

The PTTC Network has identified seven areas to focus on the development of new resources and training for the prevention workforce across the country. One of those areas of focus is marijuana risk. A network-wide workgroup has been convened to develop and produce resources for the prevention field to use to support their efforts in implementing marijuana prevention and education. The mission of the PTTC Network Marijuana Risk Work Group is to develop training and technical assistance tools, products, and service, related specifically to marijuana risk education and prevention, that can be deployed across the nation. New England PTTC's Director, Scott Gagnon serves as the chair of this workgroup. The Marijuana Risk Work Group is pleased to release the first set of marijuana prevention and education resources. There are four products that are being released.  Each product is listed below along with a short description of the product, the suggested use, and a link to download the product.  For any questions or technical assistance needs for the utilization of these products, please contact the Northwest PTTC: [email protected]   Facts Vs Myths Information Sheet: This information sheet covers 7 common myths or misunderstandings related to marijuana. These include myths on addiction, impairment, and other health effects. Each of the 7 myths is countered with the current evidence, including citations. The goal is to provide a tool for prevention providers to help respond to and educate the public around these common myths. Use: Tool for use in prevention messaging and education to help dispel misconceptions that may persist in the community around marijuana. This tool may be also useful as a handout at prevention education events. Link to download   Cannabis Glossary – Terms by Topic There are many terms, slang words, and other nomenclatures related to marijuana. This glossary will help prevention professionals be more familiar with these terms, to increase competency when discussing these topics. Categories include plant anatomy, slang terms, terms related to marijuana products, cannabinoids, and other terms. Use: A Reference Guide for prevention providers to familiarize themselves with the many terms related to marijuana. Link to download Marijuana Science Education Slide Banks Two PowerPoint slide banks for prevention professionals to use in marijuana prevention and education work in their communities. The purpose of these slide banks is to provide prevention providers with researched and vetted tools they can feel confident in using in their marijuana prevention presentations.   “Marijuana and the Brain” focuses on the pharmacology of marijuana and how it affects the brain.Link to download “The Varied Forms, Potency, and Health Effects of Today’s Cannabis” covers the many forms of marijuana products, as well as trends in potency, and known health impacts. Link to download   Use: You can provide one or both of these slide banks as stand-alone presentations or integrate them into a presentation including local data, trends, and strategies for marijuana prevention. Each slide bank includes presenter notes to guide the speaker on presenting the information contained in the slides.  The slide banks also include references to all of the literature used to source the information presented.   NOTE: Please do not alter any of the slides. If you need additional information, please contact the Northwest PTTC: northwestpttcnetwork.org